Cover Letters

Cover letters express the interest and fit for the position applying. The process of constructing a targeted, thoughtful cover letter may feel time consuming, however the payoff is often well worth it.

Cover letters are usually 3-4 paragraphs in length, and should accomplish the following:

Capture the recruiter's attention and help differentiate you from other candidates

Identify the internship or job title for which you want to be considered

Indicate how you learned about the position (e.g., University Career Services, employee referral, organization website, professional association)

Highlight 1-3 qualifications that are related to the internship or job

Demonstrate a sincere interest in a particular employer and position

When emailing a cover letter use it as the body of the email or attach it as a PDF document.

See sample cover letters in the Related File.

To ensure your cover letter is on target get it reviewed by scheduling an appointment with a counselor or coming in during walk in hours Monday-Friday 1-4pm.